It was the biggest demonstration for years, with the aim of calling for a higher minimum wage, a ban on zero-hours contracts and more funding for the NHS, education and other public services.

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People dressed as Theresa May Bots during a TUC rally in central London, as part of its 'great jobs' campaign.

Workers involved in current disputes including those at restaurant chains TGI Fridays and McDonald’s joined the march, along with nurses, ambulance crews, postmen, teachers, civil servants and cleaners.

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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to demonstrators during a TUC rally in central London, as part of its 'great jobs' campaign.

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Demonstrators during a TUC rally in central London, as part of its 'great jobs' campaign.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said before the march started that workers have had enough of low pay, poor quality jobs and constant cuts to public services.

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She added: “There is a new mood in the country. People have been very patient but they are now demanding a new deal.”

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A sign on a demonstrator's bag during a TUC rally in central London, as part of its 'great jobs' campaign.

Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said it was the most important demonstration for 50 years.

He said: “This is the start of a serious challenge for a new deal for all workers.

“The world of work has become a pressurised environment, based on a flexible labour market and bogus self-employment.”

To mark the event, the TUC published data which it said showed that workers were suffering the longest squeeze on wages in modern history.

A decade on from the financial crisis, real wages are worth £24 a week less than in 2008 and are not forecast to return to pre-crash levels until 2025, said the union organisation.